Stack former and compacting structure

ABSTRACT

A stack forming and compacting structure in the form of a boxlike member having a suitable unloading mechanism in the base of the same and with an open top section in which is positioned a compacting roof section carried by pivotal links and which move arcuately to define a compacting movement for the roof and side wall portions integral therewith in a vertical and horizontal direction for uniform distribution of material within the stack forming structure. Pivoted actuators connected between the stack forming structure and the roof affect the pivotal movement of the same which pivot links may vary in length for different degrees of arcuate movement and hence vertical and horizontal movement in the compacting direction.

United States Patent [191 Kanengieter et al.

[ Mar. 18, 1975 STACK FORMER AND COMPACTING STRUCTURE Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner.l. N. Eskovitz [75] Inventors P'. t Blooming Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Schroeder Siegfried Ryan &

Prairie, Daniel E. Peterson, Vidas Northfield, both of Minn.

[73] Assignee: Owatonna Manufacturing Company,

Inc., North Owatonna, Minn. ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Oct. 19, 1973 A stack forming and compacting structure in the form of a box-like member having a suitable unloading [21] Appl' 407906 mechanism in the base of the same and with an open top section in which is positioned a compacting roof [52] U.S. Cl. 56/344, 56/351 section carried by pivotal links and which move arcu- [51] Int. Cl A0ld 85/00 ately to define a compacting movement for the roof [58] Field of Search 56/341, 344-361, and side wall portions integral therewith in a vertical 56/364 and horizontal direction for uniform distribution of material within the stack forming structure. Pivoted [56] References Cited actuators connected between the stack forming struc- I D STATES PATENTS ture and the roof affect the pivotal movement of the 3 556 H1971 Garrison 56/341 X same which pivot links may vary in length for different 3:744:2i8 7/1973 Lundahl.IIIIIIIIIIII: il... 56/344 degrees of afcuate movement and hence Vertical and 3.754.388 8/1973 Neely, Jr 56/346 horizontal movement in the Compacting direction- FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 12 Claims 6 Drawing Figures 951,698 3/l964 United Kingdom..... 56/341 N2 23 no I20 I00 I 88 82 92 4O I I 102 l I L, --fi\ F=:\-

I I! I K i 15o 36 74 86 a7 I l 67 F i ll I If Q -30 2O 60 Q) 5 PATENTEU HARI 81975 Ski-ET 2 OF 3 STACK FORMER AND COMPACTING STRUCTURE Our invention relates to a stack forming and compacting structure and more particular an improved apparatus of this type having a parallel linkage system for moving a compacting roof structure through an arc and into a stack forming container for the purpose of compacting materials therein.

At the present time, formation of stacks of material such as hay, cotton, or the like, through the use of a stack forming and compacting structure are known and in use. In particular, one of the present day structures incorporates a movable roof which moves relative to the walls of the stack forming container, for the purpose of compacting material within the same. This roof is guided for vertical movement with the container. The formation of the stack requires that material be introduced at one end of the container and the vertical movement of the roof in the compacting direction creates a variation in the stack density due to the fact that the portion of the formed stack adjacent the feed area would normally be less dense because of the difficulties during filling or directing material close to the front wall. Similarly, in compacting of cotton, it is recognized to pivot a roof portion from one forward edge thereof or from the feed direction. This creates a similar problem in a variation in density near the front or feed wall because of the inability to move the material into the area.

In the present invention an improved stack forming and compacting structure is provided in which the roof of the stack former or container moves in the direction of filling during the compacting operation in that it is pivoted through an arc and urges material directed into the container and along the roof thereof in direction of the front wall to provide for a uniform density of stack. Similarly, the roof of the compacting container and the portion of the side walls form the compacting structure move through an arc with a forward and downward movement requiring less power than any of the prior art structures. The improved stack forming and compacting structure has a roof support guided by pivoting links which hold the roof square and require a minimum of two hydraulic actuators or cylinders to raise or lower the roof. The stack formation is accomplished by the several of stack forming or compacting operations and the completed stack is more readily removed from the forming structure through a hinged rear door and pivoted roof door for ease in removal of the same. The shape of the roof of the compacting stack is such as to enable the same to withstand extending periods of storage and maintain a uniform density. With the improved structure, fewer compressions per load are required since the container may be filled to the roof between compressions and the material as it is introduced into the container follows a natural trajectory for better layering at the top of the stack and easier filling of the corners of the same.

It is therefore the principle object of this invention to provide an improved stack forming and compacting structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a stack forming and compacting structure in which a compressing roof and side walls are pivotally mounted through links on the walls of the container to describe the are having a forward and downward component of movement to better distribute material within the stack forming structure for uniform density of the same.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved stack forming and compacting structure in which introduction of material along the roof line follows a natural trajectory for better layering of material within the stack forming container and for easier filling of the entire container with the requirement of fewer compression strokes per load in that the container may be filled to the roof between compressions. These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from the reading of the attached description together with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the improved stack forming and compacting structure in a stack forming filling position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the stack forming and compacting structure of FIG. 1 in a full compacting position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the improved stack forming and compacting structure;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the improved stack forming and compacting structure showing the same in a stack discharge position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the improved stack forming and compacting structure in a forming or filling position; and,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the forming and compacting structure of FIG. 5 in a stack compacting position.

Our improved stack former and compacting structure is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a filling and compacting mode of operation respectively. The structure is shown in the drawings as bascially a vehicle base or chassis 10 having suitable wheel supports with a pivot hitch at the front end of the same adapted to couple the vehicle frame to a motive source or draft source, such as a tractor (not shown). Mounted on the vehicle frame and shown schematically at is a crop pick up harvesting structure having an upstanding blower or conveyor section and a curved discharge chute 36 mounted on the same and extending upwardly therefrom. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the vehicle frame, hitch and harvester or pickup structure together with the conveyor are shown schematically since they may take varying forms. The discharge chute may be coupled to a conventional belt type conveyor, blower, auger or chain elevator depending upon the application of the same. Crops picked up from the ground surface adjacent the front end of the vehicle whether previously severed or harvested by the pick up device, will be lifted upwardly through the conveying apparatus to be rapidly discharged into a stack forming and compacting structure, indicated generally at 50. The structure or container is mounted on the vehicle bed 10 and is pivoted thereon through a suitable hinge connection indicated at 55, for the purpose of tilting the same relative to the vehicle bed for unloading purposes. The base of the container mounts a suitable bed which may include any variation of a stack discharge or moving means therein, the details of which are omitted for simllicity. For example, it may incorporate a chain type stack moving structure or the equivalent, such as is shown by the dotted lines at 62. Motive means for the same is omitted for simplicity, since it may take varying forms. The container or stack forming structure is adapted to be tilted on the vehicle bed through a suitable actuator 65 coupled between the vehicle frame, as at 66, and a pivot point 67 mounted on the front wall of the container or stack forming structure 50.

The stack forming structure 50 is generally a box-like enclosed frame having front wall 70, side walls 72, and a rear wall in the form of a pair of hinge door members 74 which are hinged along the upstanding side of the same, such as is indicated at 75, and adapted to open at the center for the purpose of discharging the stack therefrom. Associated with the open top of the stack forming structure 50, is a roof structure or compacting structure, indicated generally at 80. This includes a curved roof section 82 which is basically the same width as the distance between the-side walls 72 but of shorter length than the side walls 72. Connected to the arcuate roof section are side portions 86, 87, on either side of the roof and an inclined rear frame structure 88 which has associated therewith a hinge door, to be later defined. The front portion of the roof is open, as at 90, and the area adjacent the opening includes movable side portions 92 which are connected to mounting links to be later defined. The roof or compacting structure is connected at the rear of the container or stack former and at the upper ends of the same adjacent the pivoted door section through a link member 100 which is generally U-shaped in form and is pivoted at its free extremities through pivot structures 102 on either side wall of the container. The closed or bifurcated end of the link 100 has suitable depending flanges 104 which are pivoted on the ends of the roof or the side edges of the same adjacent the end and the inclined rear wall or frame 88. The closure or pivoted door for the rear roof section is included in rear wall or frame 88 carried by the pivot link 100 as indicated at 110 and is suitable pivoted therein as at 112 near the upper end of the same to open with discharge of the stack. In the raised portion of the roof structure,the door section 1 completes the rear wall of the compacting roof structure. The front of the roof structure is carried by a second U-shaped pivot member 120 whose free extremities are pivoted on flanges 121 attached to the upstanding side walls of the container located forward of the center of the side walls and such that the pivot arms or link 120 may pivot down to and clear the front wall 70 of the container. The closed extremities of the pivot link 120 at flanges 122 is pivoted on the forward end of the roof, as at 123 with a deflecting plate 124 carried thereby. Similarly, the side sections 92 are attached to the pivot link 120 to complete the forward portions of the side walls of the roof compacting structure and pivot therewith through an arc such that they clear the front wall 70 of the container or stack forming structure. The length of the pivot arms or links 100, 120, extending between the pivot points in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are substantially identical such that the roof sections move parallel with the side walls 72 and the side wall portions 86, 87, of the roof 80 slide down adjacent the side walls 72 of the compacting structure with the roof 82 extending therebetween for compacting purposes. The side wall portions 92 pivot so that the forward edge of the same extends into or outside the confines of the container or the stack former St) for clearance purposes, as the forward edge of the roof section 82 moves vertically and horizontally toward the front wall 70 of the container or stack former 50.

Suitable actuator means 150 positioned on either side of the roof structure and connected at one extremity, as at 152, to the side walls 72 of the stack former with the shaft extremities being connected to the roof edges intermediate the extent of the same, as at 154. These are hydraulic actuators which when extended, raise the roof to the fully open or loading position. In this position as indicated at FIG. 1, the forward edge of the roof adjacent the discharge chute 36 will receive material, such as hay, to be compacted and formed into a stack. The same will be blown into the container 50 following the arcuate roof lines with the majority of the hay following the roof contour and being distributed along the bottom of the container. Asthe quantity of the material builds up within the container, the actuators 150 are energized and retract or the shaft extremities draw inwardly causing pivoting of the compacting roof structure 80 with the side portions 86, 87, to move arcuately down the loaded material within the stack forming structure 50. The side walls of the roof section will follow the side walls 72 of the container or stack former and the material will be compacted and move forwardly to uniformly distribute the same within the stack forming structure. The base or bed 60 of the stack forming structure 50 is solid and includes the structure for removing the stack which may take varying forms. The arcuate movement of the roof, as indi cated in FIG. 2, permits uniform layered distribution of the material forming the stack. As this material is distributed and compacted, the actuators 150 are again extended to raise the roof section 82 and additional filling takes place with successive steps of filling and compression taking place to form a stack in uniform layers. In the final filling step, the roof is raised to its extended position so that the maximum amount of filling takes place and the material is distributed adjacent the roof section for a final compaction. The vertical and horizontal component of movement of the compacting structure is such as to fill the void near the front end of the stack forming container 50 since the natural distribution of the material being propelled from the discharge chute will follow the roof and uniformly fill the remainder of the box-like stack forming structure. The resulting stack, indicated at 170, substantially fills the enclosure and follows the roof outline so that when it is completed, the pivoted upper door in the rear frame 88 may be opened and the rear doors 74 opened for discharge of the same. At this point, the actuator 65 will be energized to tilt the container 50 on the vehicle frame 10 and about the pivot 55. The unloading means -which may be chains, cable or a rolling bed, such as is indicated at 62, will be actuated through a suitable motive means and the stack 170 moved out of the confines of the stack forming structure 50 which is inclined in the vehicle bed 10 with the rearward edge in contact with the ground as indicated in FIG. 4 and such that the vehicle bed or frame 10 may be moved away from the location and the formed stack deposited on the ground after completion.

The modification or embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 & 4 includes basically all of the components as that of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the exception that the links 110, which still retain their general U-shape configuration or may be single link members connecting the sides 72 of the stack forming structure 50 with the side edges of the roof 82 are of different lengths. Thus, the rear links 100 may be longer than the forward links 120 or visa versa. This will provide a movement for the compacting roof structure which is arcuate and retains vertical and horizontal components which will not move in exact parallelism with the base 60 of the stack forming structure 50. The same distribution of material will be affected within the container 50 although the density of the resulting stack may vary with greater or less movement of material toward or away from the front or rear end of the container. In this embodiment, it is contemplated that the location of the pivots may be reversed and the contacting roof structure may pivot toward the rear of the stack forming structure 50 as distinguished from the front of the stack forming structure for compacting purposes. The resulting stack will take substantially the same form as that disclosed in FIG. 4 showing the discharge of a stack 170 from the stack forming structure 50 with the rear doors 74 open, the top hinge roof door 110 open, and the container or stack forming structure 50 pivoted on the vehicle frame 10.

The modification or embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 includes basically the components of the design of FIGS. 1 and 2 except in the details of the rear door and its cooperation with a modified roof structure. Thus, the stack forming structure or container 50 is mounted on the bed 10 or wheeled support and adapted to be pivoted thereon through the pivot linkage 55 to be tilted with the actuator 65. The sides 72 and front 70 of the container 50 remain unchanged and the rear wall is a door structure formed of two door halves 74 hinged at 75 to the side walls 72. The interior of the container includes the stack removal means 62 mounted on the base 60 of the same and the crop pick up or harvester 30 includes a conveying apparatus 35 discharging material through the pipe or chute 36 into the interior of the container 50.

In this embodiment, the compacting roof structure 80 is substantially equal in length to the open top of the container or forming structure 50 and in a raised or open position this roof structure, as supported by the links or link means 110, 120, will project beyond the rear of the container in the raised position. The roof structure includes the side portions 86, 87 form integral therewith which will take basically the same configuration as the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 except for the extension or increased length near the rear of the roof which now will project with a rearward slant at the rear edge. The forward side portions 92 are again physically connected to the link means 120 to form a part of the side portions or a movable extension of the same in a raised position but which will pivot independent of the roof 80 with movement of the forward link means 120. The actuators 150 are again pivoted to the sides of the stack forming structure as at 152 and connected to the roof section as at 154. The forward link or link means 120 will be attached to the upstanding side walls of the container at or near the top thereof, as indicated at 121, and to the roof as at 123 adjacent the forward opening of the roof which permits entrance of the material into the container. The rear link means or links 110 are again pivoted to the rear end of the upstanding sides of the container 50 and attached to the side wall portions or roof 80 of the container remote from the rear end thereof, such that the roof may move through an arc with the links 120 and 110 in substantial parallelism. The rear door section in this embodiment in addition to the doors or door members 74 carry upper pivoted sections 180, 182, which are pivoted along the extent of each of the doors 74 to move normal thereto on an axis normal to the hinge structures 75 supporting the doors on the container. These door sections 180, 182 open with the doors 74 as the doors move on their hinge structure 75 to open the container and discharge the stack therefrom. However, they are no longer part of the roof structure but bear against the rear edge of the roof, as at 185, to enclose the roof in the raised position and in the stack forming operation. Suitable spring members connect these door sections 180, 182 on each side of the container to the links 110 to bias the pivoted door sections against the end of the container to complete the enclosure. This permits the door sections to move with the roof 80 in the compacting direction, as will be seen in FIG. 6, insuring that the material within the container will not be allowed to move out of the same as the roof 80 itself is lowered and moved forward toward the front of the container. Thus, the combination of the door sections 180, 182, and the roof cover the rearward end of the container as the roof is lowered in the compacting direction, preventing leakage of hay or grain therefrom at the top of the stack. In the lowermost position the door section 180, 182, as indicated in FIG. 6, fold against the roof and over the top of the roof in the compacting position.

The bias members urge these door sections to follow the roof in the raising and lowering of the same for compacting material within the container. The actuators employed may still be a minimum of two actuators or more if desired, and in this embodiment the links may be of the same length or of different lengths with substantially the same operation of the upper rear door sections which are now carried by the rear doors 74 instead of the roof.

Thus, in this embodiment, the basic components are identical except for the rear door section and the placement of the rear links with the upper roof extending the same length as the open top of the enclosure. The modified roof design has rearward projecting side wall portions and an overhanging portion in the raised position which moves through the links to provide the compacting operation. The roof itself covers the whole lower container, thus, imparts the curved roof shape through the stack from front to rear. The door sections 180, 182, being connected to the rear doors by transversely extending pivots or hinge structure, follow the movement of the roof since they are connected thereto through the springs 190. As the roof is lowered, the upper doors fold against the roof to minimize loss of material from the container between the roof and doors. When the roof is completely lowered, the doors will have completely folded over the top of the roof or bear against the same to complete the enclosure. When the rear doors are opened for unloading of the stack, the upper door sections 180, 182 which are hinged to the doors 74 open with the lower doors to permit egress of the stack formed within the container.

The remaining portion of the compacting structure and the unloading of the same are unchanged from the previous embodiment and as shown in FIG. 6, a suitable deflector may be attached to the upstanding end of the chute and operated through a simple actuator 198 and a remote control (not shown) to pivot on the end of the discharge chute for changing the angle of deflection of material discharged therefrom to aid in the uniform distribution of material in the formation of a stack.

in considering the invention, it will be understood that the present disclosure is illustrative only, and that the scope of the invention should be limited only by the appended claims.

What we claim is:

l. A stack forming and compacting structure comprising, a vehicle, a crop receiving container mounted on the vehicle, a pick up means supported by the vehicle, a movable roof for the container having downwardly projecting side portions integral therewith, links means pivotally mounting the movable roof at four points thereon and to the upstanding sides of the container remote from the roof to move the roof through an arc in a direction having a horizontal and vertical component of a movement toward the confines of the container, said roof structure with the side portions formed integral therewith having a pivoted rear door and an open front face for introduction of material beneath the roof into the container.

2. The stack forming and compacting structure of claim 1 in which the link means are a pair of inverted U-shaped members pivotally connected to the roof of the container near the front and rear edges thereof and to the sides of the container remote from the roof.

3. The stack forming and compacting structure of claim 1 in which the link means are of the same length and movement of the roof and the links are parallel to the sides.

4. The stack forming and compacting structure of claim 1 in which the link means at one extremity of the container differ from the length of the link means at the other extremity of the container so that the roof moves arcuately with a horizontal and a vertical component into the container.

5. The stack forming and compacting structure of claim 1 in which the actuator means are a pair of hydraulic actuators positioned on either side of the container and connected at a point intermediate the extent of the roof means.

6. A stack forming and compacting structure of claim 1 and including means within the container for moving a stack out of the container after formation thereof.

7. The stack forming and compacting structure of claim 1 in which parts of the side portions of the roof adjacent the front face are connected to the link means and movable with the link means independent of the roof to permit folding of said parts with respect to the sides of the container as the roofis moved into the container.

8. The stack forming and compacting structure of claim 1 in which the container is pivotally mounted on the vehicle for pivotal movement relative thereto with a rear side of the container having a hinged door structure adapted to open and permit removal of the stack through the hinged door structure and a rear door on the roof with the container pivoted on the vehicle frame.

9. A stack forming and compacting structure comprising, a vehicle, a crop receiving container having upstanding sides mounted on the vehicle, a pick up means supported by the vehicle, a movable roof for the container having downwardly projecting side portions integral therewith, link means pivotally mounting the movable roof at four points thereon and to the upstanding sides of the container remote from the roof to move the roof through an arc in a direction having a horizontal and vertical component of a movement toward the interior of the container, and actuator means connected between the roof thereof and said upstanding sides of the container remote from the roof for pivotally moving the roof on the link means toward and away from the container to compact material directed into the container having ahinged rear door structure with pivoted sections at the top edge of the same which contact and pivot with the roof and open with the hinged rear door structure.

10. The stack forming and compacting structure of claim 9 in which the pivoted sections of the rear door structure include spring means connected between the sections and at the link means near the rear door structure and biasing the pivoted sections of the rear door structure against the roof for all positions of pivotal movement of the roof on the link means toward and away from the container.

11. The stack forming and compacting structure of claim 9 in which the container includes a pair of hinged rear door members hinged along axes on the upstanding sides of the container and with upstanding pivoted sections at the top of the same pivoted about an axis normal the hinge axes and adapted to contact and pivot with the roof and open with the rear door members on the hinge axes.

12. The stack forming and compacting structure of claim 1 1 in which the roof is substantially the same dimensions as the open top of the container above which it is pivoted on said link means and in which the upstanding sectionsof the door members include spring bias means connected between the door sections and the link means adjacent the door members to bias the pivoted sections against the rearward edge of the roof and to overlie the roof in a full position of the pivotal movement on said link means into the container. 

1. A stack forming and compacting structure comprising, a vehicle, a crop receiving container mounted on the vehicle, a pick up means supported by the vehicle, a movable roof for the container having downwardly projecting side portions integral therewith, links means pivotally mounting the movable roof at four points thereon and to the upstanding sides of the container remote from the roof to move the roof through an arc in a direction having a horizontal and vertical component of a movement toward the confines of the container, said roof structure with the side portions formed integral therewith having a pivoted rear door and an open front face for introduction of material beneath the roof into the container.
 2. The stack forming and compacting structure of claim 1 in which the link means are a pair of inverted U-shaped members pivotally connected to the roof of the container near the front and rear edges thereof and to the sides of the container remote from the roof.
 3. The stack forming and compacting structure of claim 1 in which the link means are of the same length and movement of the roof and the links are parallel to the sides.
 4. The stack forming and compacting structure of claim 1 in which the link means at one extremity of the container differ from the length of the link means at the other extremity of the container so that the roof Moves arcuately with a horizontal and a vertical component into the container.
 5. The stack forming and compacting structure of claim 1 in which the actuator means are a pair of hydraulic actuators positioned on either side of the container and connected at a point intermediate the extent of the roof means.
 6. A stack forming and compacting structure of claim 1 and including means within the container for moving a stack out of the container after formation thereof.
 7. The stack forming and compacting structure of claim 1 in which parts of the side portions of the roof adjacent the front face are connected to the link means and movable with the link means independent of the roof to permit folding of said parts with respect to the sides of the container as the roof is moved into the container.
 8. The stack forming and compacting structure of claim 1 in which the container is pivotally mounted on the vehicle for pivotal movement relative thereto with a rear side of the container having a hinged door structure adapted to open and permit removal of the stack through the hinged door structure and a rear door on the roof with the container pivoted on the vehicle frame.
 9. A stack forming and compacting structure comprising, a vehicle, a crop receiving container having upstanding sides mounted on the vehicle, a pick up means supported by the vehicle, a movable roof for the container having downwardly projecting side portions integral therewith, link means pivotally mounting the movable roof at four points thereon and to the upstanding sides of the container remote from the roof to move the roof through an arc in a direction having a horizontal and vertical component of a movement toward the interior of the container, and actuator means connected between the roof thereof and said upstanding sides of the container remote from the roof for pivotally moving the roof on the link means toward and away from the container to compact material directed into the container having ahinged rear door structure with pivoted sections at the top edge of the same which contact and pivot with the roof and open with the hinged rear door structure.
 10. The stack forming and compacting structure of claim 9 in which the pivoted sections of the rear door structure include spring means connected between the sections and at the link means near the rear door structure and biasing the pivoted sections of the rear door structure against the roof for all positions of pivotal movement of the roof on the link means toward and away from the container.
 11. The stack forming and compacting structure of claim 9 in which the container includes a pair of hinged rear door members hinged along axes on the upstanding sides of the container and with upstanding pivoted sections at the top of the same pivoted about an axis normal the hinge axes and adapted to contact and pivot with the roof and open with the rear door members on the hinge axes.
 12. The stack forming and compacting structure of claim 11 in which the roof is substantially the same dimensions as the open top of the container above which it is pivoted on said link means and in which the upstanding sections of the door members include spring bias means connected between the door sections and the link means adjacent the door members to bias the pivoted sections against the rearward edge of the roof and to overlie the roof in a full position of the pivotal movement on said link means into the container. 